Scientists Say Health & Medicine

Scientists Say: Tinnitus

This ‘ringing’ in your ears can be a sign of hearing loss

Tinnitus can be a symptom of hearing loss. It can also really annoy people who suffer from it.

SIPHOTOGRAPHY/ISTOCKPHOTO

By Bethany Brookshire

January 9, 2017 at 6:50 am

Tinnitus (noun, “TIN-ih-tuss”)

This is a condition in which people hear a persistent sound that isn’t there. It might be a ringing noise, a hiss or clicking. Whether it is soft, loud, high or low varies from person to person. Tinnitus can last just a few minutes or a few hours. Some people experience it for years. And it’s not just annoying. Tinnitus can be a sign of hearing loss.

In a sentence

Listen to too-loud music long enough, and you might end up with hearing loss and tinnitus.

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